Actor added to cast of indie thriller

Story follows a rising rock star (Browning) who finds herself in a downspiral after losing her band mate and brother to a drug overdose. The second album from her band Plush is received as a critical and commercial failure. A married mother of two children, she finds new hope and friendship in a replacement guitarist (Samuel) who inspires her to reach new creative heights. When their collaboration crosses the line sexually, she retreats from his advances, and as she slowly discovers his troubled past, she realizes she may have let a madman into her home – a mistake that may cost the lives of the people closest to her.

Gigandet will co-star as Browning’s husband.

Hardwicke, who’s also producing, will helm from a script she co-wrote with Artie Nelson. Jason Blum is producing for Blumhouse Prods. along with Sherryl Clark of Busted Shark and Stuart Ford of IM Global, which is selling distribution rights.

Production is skedded to start at the end of the month in Los Angeles.

Samuel appeared in “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” before landing a key supporting role in Roland Emmerich’s period pic “Anonymous.” Thesp, who also stars in Anchor Bay’s shark thriller “Bait,” will soon be seen opposite Sam Worthington in the Aussie surfing drama “Drift.” He’s repped by the Gersh Agency, Management 360, Shanahan Management and Ziffren, Brittenham.